Leaving Northampton were 12 walkers, along with two minibuses and five drivers. This was the start of our journey up to Scotland to walk up Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain.

After this was successfully achieved, with a temperature of approx minus-3 on the summit, we then set off for Cumbria, to walk up the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike; again the whole group reached the summit, just in time to see the most wonderful sunset, dropping down over the Irish sea, with the Isle of Man clearly visible in the background.

Following the successful descent of Scafell Pike, it was straight back onto the minibuses to travel down to Wales, to walk our final mountain, Mount Snowdon.

Again this was achieved by the whole group, the most fantastic views of Snowdonia, Anglesey etc were afforded to us.

This being my 12th annual three-peaks challenge, it was again a most enjoyable experience, especially with the weather being so kind to us all.

Along with sending my utmost thanks to all the walkers, too many to individually mention, I would also like to send a huge thank you to our five drivers.

Without these guys/gals the whole challenge team would not be able to take part, driving in excess of 1,200 miles over a weekend is a fantastic achievement in itself.

A massive thank you from all the walkers and organisers.

This year our charity to benefit from the challenge is the RNBT, Royal Navy Benevolent Trust, and the whole walk was in memory of young Ryan Kemp, from Northampton.

If the above appeals to any of your readers, I shall be taking deposits for our 2009 Challenge, next year's challenge shall be raising funds for four charities: Friends of Cynthia Spencer Hospice, Tools for Self Reliance, CAN Northampton and RNBT, again this challenge shall take place around the middle of June 2009. Please feel free to e-mail:- mickfinch@finchelectrical.co.uk for further information, or ring me on 07885 298611.

Finally, I would like also to send my thanks to the Chronicle & Echo for all your support of my charity events over the past 13 years.
Many Thanks
Michael Finch
Greenfield Avenue, Spinney Hill
Northampton

Stop shouting about water
Should we not be congratulating Anglian Water on their quick response to the problem and averting widespread sickness?

Why do the populous always want to blame someone for possibly something beyond control and shout SUE SUE SUE, can we not help ourselves?

Now you have had your cup of tea, how much water is left in the base of your kettle – it can be saved!

Leave the bottled kind for the businesses.
Rosemary Tuckley
Brixworth Hall Park, Brixworth
Northampton

Wheels of bus scheme turning
I'm writing in response to recent concerns about residents waiting for bus passes.

Nearly 24,000 Northampton residents have applied for a new bus pass, available to those aged 60 and over or disabled, which gives free local bus travel throughout England.

Most residents will have already received their pass and any outstanding will be sent out by early July.

There were some delays in the issuing of cards, mainly caused by the Government's chosen supplier.

In response to this delay, the Department for Transport provided temporary passes for local councils to distribute. Locally, both the borough and county councils have worked hard to ensure that passes were issued as quickly as possible.

Over the past nine months, our customer service staff have dealt with thousands of queries and bus pass applications.

If any Northampton residents are still waiting for their pass, or have any other questions, please telephone the Borough Council on 01604 838450 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday) or visit the One Stop Shop at the Guildhall and we will be pleased to help you.
Cllr Richard Church
Cabinet member for regeneration
Northampton Borough Council

Headlines can be misleading
Please tell me why it is that the Chronicle & Echo uses inaccurate and misleading headlines where the deportation of foreign criminals is concerned? (Chronicle & Echo, Monday 30 June 2008, Page 7, 'Drug Gardener to be Deported').

Anyone reading this piece is left with the impression that Van Nguyen will be deported, when it is more than likely that he will not be deported.

At no time did the judge or defence counsel state that he will be deported. It is not within the judge's power in the criminal court to make such an order.

Such inaccurate reporting gives the impression of some kind of 'joined up approach' between the courts and the UK Border Agency and that the system actually works. We have seen countless times that it doesn't.

Tell your readers how it is!
Gary Evans
Varley Close
Wellingborough, Northamptonshire

Editor's note: Recorder Robert Brown was quoted directly in the story: "The immigration authorities may want to keep you in custody before sending you back to Vietnam, because I do make a recommendation to the Secretary of State that you should be deported." Van Nguyen's own legal representative was also quoted as saying his client would be deported.

Country Diary taught us a lot
I would like to say how much I have enjoyed Eric Roberts' Country Diary over the years and how much I am going to miss him.

Whenever I have read his column I was enlightened with all the interesting things he wrote about, and I always said to myself: 'Well, I never knew that!' Thank you Mr Roberts, your readers are certainly going to miss you. Enjoy your retirement and God bless you.
Patricia Chater (Mrs)
Birchfield Road East
Northampton

Fond memories
When I was four I was a bridesmaid at the wedding of Eric Roberts.

His lovely wife, Margaret, was a cousin of mine.

It was with sadness that I heard that Eric's Country Diary was coming to an end.

I have always had a special interest in his articles and they have taught me a great deal.

I know they will be missed by many people.

It must have been a huge commitment to keep it going for 55 years.

Congratulations Eric!
Judith Bird,
Kettering Road, Northampton

On a lighter note
I can't help but notice that the hanging baskets in Northampton look more lovely and vibrant this summer.

Could it be the manure in the local water supply?!
John Wright, Port Road, Northampton